reported in the hadith of Hudhayfa, whereas it is first in the sense that it is the first sign after which no worldly affairs whatsoever will remain. Rather, once these signs have concluded, the Trumpet will be blown. This is unlike the signs mentioned alongside it in the hadith of Hudhayfa, for after each of those signs, some worldly affairs will still remain (1).

As for the reports stating in some narrations that it will emerge from Yemen, while others state that it will gather the people from east to west, several answers may be given:

1. These narrations may be reconciled by noting that the fire’s emergence from the depths of Aden does not conflict with its gathering the people from east to west. Its emergence will begin in the depths of Aden, and once it emerges, it will spread throughout the earth. The words, “It will gather the people from east to west,” are intended to indicate the comprehensive scope of the gathering, not to restrict it specifically to the east and west (2).

2. When the fire spreads, it will first gather the people of the East. This is supported by the fact that tribulations always begin in the East. The west is mentioned as the endpoint because al-Shām lies west of the East.

3. It is possible that the fire mentioned in the hadith of Anas is a metaphor for the widespread tribulations that unleashed immense evil and flared like fire. They began in the East, until most of that region was devastated and the people were driven from the east